Australia's Berrick Barnes (C) attacks the The United States defense (EPA/KIM LUDBROOK)
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Robbie Deans has announced his Wallabies squad for the opening 2012 Bledisloe Cup Test match against the All Blacks at Sydney’s Olympic Stadium, with flyhalf Quade Cooper still missing from the side in favour of the NSW Waratahs’ Berrick Barnes.
No comment has been made by Deans, but Cooper’s omission even from the bench is a surprise move for Australia.
Cooper was previously struggling for match fitness, but did play the tail-end of the Super Rugby season for the Queensland Reds.
In changes to the Wallabies side that last played Wales in June, Deans has chosen a starting role in the XV for Dave Dennis, in his fifth Test.
Scott Higginbotham has moved into the number 8 at the back of the scrum, switching from blindside flanker where he played against the Welsh into the injured Wycliff Palu’s position.
The move opens the way for Dennis, starting in his second game against the 2011 Rugby World Cup winning All Blacks.
Anthony Fainga’a has returned to a starting position at inside-centre. Fainga’a, who was used off the bench against Wales, slots in for the injured Pat McCabe.
Drew Mitchell moves into the squad on the bench, and will be hoping to be used as an impact player to push for starting XV selection. Kurtley Beale’s successful return from injury sees him retained at fullback.
This means the same backline that faced Wales will start against New Zealand, with the exception of the forced injury change in Fainga’a.
Veteran forward Radike Samo has returned to the Wallabies side on the bench after last appearing in the Rugby World Cup. Samo’s story continues to surprise after struggling to hold his spot in the Queensland Reds side during the Super Rugby season.
The first Bledisloe Cup match also kicks off the new four-way Rugby Championship series after the Tri-Nations expanded to include the Argentinean Pumas.
The Australian team to play New Zealand in Sydney at 8pm on August 18th:
15. Kurtley Beale (Melbourne Rebels)
14. Adam Ashley-Cooper (NSW Waratahs)
13. Rob Horne (NSW Waratahs)
12. Anthony Fainga’a (Queensland Reds)
11. Digby Ioane (Queensland Reds)
10. Berrick Barnes (NSW Waratahs)
9. Will Genia (Queensland Reds, vice-captain)
8. Scott Higginbotham (Queensland Reds)
7. David Pocock (Western Force, captain)
6. Dave Dennis (NSW Waratahs)
5. Nathan Sharpe (Western Force)
4. Sitaleki Timani (NSW Waratahs)
3. Sekope Kepu (NSW Waratahs)
2. Tatafu Polota Nau (NSW Waratahs)
1. Benn Robinson (NSW Waratahs)
Run on Reserves:
16. Stephen Moore (Brumbies)
17. James Slipper (Queensland Reds)
18. Rob Simmons (Queensland Reds)
19. Radike Samo (Queensland Reds)
20. Michael Hooper (Brumbies)
21. Nick Phipps (Melbourne Rebels)
22. Drew Mitchell (NSW Waratahs)
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August 14th 2012 @ 10:18am
jutsie said | August 14th 2012 @ 10:18am | Report comment
Big call not to take a backup flyhalf. Hasn’t deans learnt anything from the issues the reds faced with a 5/2 bench.
Im glad to see Mitchell but seriously Cooper has way more match fitness.
it should’ve been Cooper in for either Hooper or Mitchell.
August 14th 2012 @ 10:30am
Rob from Brumby Country said | August 14th 2012 @ 10:30am | Report comment
Yeah, as much as I think that Barnes is a better flyhalf, I am a bit surprised that QC couldn’t find a way onto the pine. Perhaps the 5-2 bench contains some hints about Robbie Deans’ gameplan?
August 14th 2012 @ 10:35am
Justin2 said | August 14th 2012 @ 10:35am | Report comment
There needs to be some thought around “how” they attack the ABs up front. It cant just be one out stuff we saw against Wales which was really pathetic. If there are some genuine strategies at work to get in behind then all well and good.
Beale is the back up 10 with Mitchell onto the wing and AAC to 15 if necessary. Unless he goes the Ewen route
August 14th 2012 @ 10:41am
jutsie said | August 14th 2012 @ 10:41am | Report comment
The ewen route is the first thing that came to mind when I saw no Cooper on the bench however I forgot about beale being flyhalf backup so I’m not as concerned now (although I’m still disappointed that coops wasn’t even on the bench)
August 14th 2012 @ 10:54am
Elisha Pearce said | August 14th 2012 @ 10:54am | Report comment
Maybe Cooper isn’t there because there is a “no more than 1 player we had to settle a court case for” rule and that Beale was considered more of an upgrade at his position.
In the cut-throat world of “no more than 1 player we had to settle a court case for” there are sometimes good players that are unlucky to miss out.
August 14th 2012 @ 11:04am
Harry said | August 14th 2012 @ 11:04am | Report comment
Thats very good and listening to the Deans interview by Brett there actually might be something in it.
August 14th 2012 @ 10:30am
Justin2 said | August 14th 2012 @ 10:30am | Report comment
QC has more match fitness recently than Barnes doesnt he? When was the last time he strapped on a boot?
August 14th 2012 @ 10:56am
formeropenside said | August 14th 2012 @ 10:56am | Report comment
Sat the 11th of August, for his club Souths. Led them to a big win, too.
August 14th 2012 @ 11:03am
Harry said | August 14th 2012 @ 11:03am | Report comment
Beale can go to 10 so there is some logic.
August 14th 2012 @ 12:48pm
Gatesy said | August 14th 2012 @ 12:48pm | Report comment
Beale is the backup flyhalf with Mitchell coming off the bench to slot into full back, I would have thought, or interchanging with AAC – plenty of options there.
August 14th 2012 @ 6:37pm
sheek said | August 14th 2012 @ 6:37pm | Report comment
Beale is obviously the back-up no.10, with AAC able to cover fullback.
August 14th 2012 @ 10:19am
Bobby_JJV said | August 14th 2012 @ 10:19am | Report comment
Not a Quade in sight
August 14th 2012 @ 10:27am
Rob from Brumby Country said | August 14th 2012 @ 10:27am | Report comment
Looks like he’s been left out in favour of a 5-2 bench with Michael Hooper. Gutsy call, hopefully it doesn’t come back to bite us in the last twenty…
August 14th 2012 @ 10:24am
Rob from Brumby Country said | August 14th 2012 @ 10:24am | Report comment
Oh my god, it’s really going to happen – it’s Horne vs Nonu. God help us.
August 14th 2012 @ 10:41am
rl said | August 14th 2012 @ 10:41am | Report comment
don’t worry, Spiro has Hooper subbing in for Horne. We’re in safe feet… I mean ‘hands’.
August 14th 2012 @ 10:34am
Jiggles said | August 14th 2012 @ 10:34am | Report comment
My what an amazing team…
August 14th 2012 @ 11:26am
The Other Steve - and All Black fan said | August 14th 2012 @ 11:26am | Report comment
in what sense of the word “amazing”?
August 14th 2012 @ 12:27pm
Adam-15 said | August 14th 2012 @ 12:27pm | Report comment
the sarcastic one
August 14th 2012 @ 10:36am
formeropenside said | August 14th 2012 @ 10:36am | Report comment
Too many Tahs. Horne, Mitchell, Timani, throw in feet for hands Hooper, and Barnes is not the player to win you a Bledisloe. Benn Robbo living off past glories.
There it all goes. Thanks Robbie.
August 14th 2012 @ 10:50am
eagleJack said | August 14th 2012 @ 10:50am | Report comment
I only opened this article to see if you predictably posted a “too many Tahs” comment
Thanks for not letting me down
August 14th 2012 @ 10:57am
formeropenside said | August 14th 2012 @ 10:57am | Report comment
Pleasure. How was the Tahs season in 2012 again? Amazing that all those players are better than their Qld counterparts who beat them twice.
By the way, you dont even need to open the thread – just have a look in the comment sidebar over the right.
August 14th 2012 @ 11:01am
eagleJack said | August 14th 2012 @ 11:01am | Report comment
But didn’t these same Tahs players prove their mettle in the series against Wales?
QC has proven in the past that the step up from Super Rugby to Test level is astronomical. While the Tahs as a team failed at Super level, the players have proven time and again they are Test worthy. Apart from Timani as starting lock Im happy with the makeup of the side.
August 14th 2012 @ 11:07am
Harry said | August 14th 2012 @ 11:07am | Report comment
Barnes has never delivered in test matches against SA or NZ. He went OK against the Welsh but as I said at the time, Berrick always plays his best games against the Welsh.
Anyway, we’ll see, hope my misgivings are wrong and Berrick steers them to a victory. Go the Wallabies.
August 14th 2012 @ 11:41am
formeropenside said | August 14th 2012 @ 11:41am | Report comment
Should never have been there in the first place. Relied on Genia to win game 1, Harris to win game 2, and sheer luck to win game 3.
The Wallabies had beaten Wales on the previous 2 occasions, both away, so really, a 4 point margin over 3 games is not a great outcome – although it kept Deans his job.
August 14th 2012 @ 11:49am
Harry said | August 14th 2012 @ 11:49am | Report comment
Well Deans has nailed his colours to the mast again with this selection, and that interview with Brett makes it clear its his way or Chipsy Wood Oval (is it still called that?).
Lets see what happens in the next 2 weeks.
But Ewen must have the packing cases handy at Ballymore; will be a sad loss for Queensland rugby but much needed for Australian rugby.
August 14th 2012 @ 12:07pm
formeropenside said | August 14th 2012 @ 12:07pm | Report comment
Harry – I would hope Ewen can do both jobs. I cant see any reason why not.
August 14th 2012 @ 12:07pm
eagleJack said | August 14th 2012 @ 12:07pm | Report comment
Genia was brilliant in Game 1 no doubt. But while Harris kicked the winning penalty, he hardly won the game for the Wallabies. Time to take the Reds blinkers off. Others contributed to our wins. I am yet to see a win come down squarely to one player. They might step up for the clutch play, but every game has dozens of crucial points, that all contribute to a win
Im not a one eyed Tahs supporter. Would be happy for Timani and “Mr Potential” Horne to be shown the door. But sadly we are dealing with a dire shortage of talent in Australian rugby. The fact that they had to convince Sharpe to go round one more time is indicative of that.
August 14th 2012 @ 1:52pm
Jiggles said | August 14th 2012 @ 1:52pm | Report comment
If it wasn’t for the efforts of Pocock, we would have been beaten convincingly in both games 2 and 3. Barnes MoM awards are something of a sick joke.
August 14th 2012 @ 11:56pm
PeterK said | August 14th 2012 @ 11:56pm | Report comment
Genia and Pocock should of been the MoM’s , Barnes playmaking was poor and he kicked goals really well.
Genia match 1, Pocock saved the game time and again games 2 and 3. Notcie all the illegal play on Pocock to try and nullify him, the did not care much about pressuring Barnes since he was no threat.
August 14th 2012 @ 12:21pm
apelu said | August 14th 2012 @ 12:21pm | Report comment
Eight Horrortahs in the starting line up, and no Brmbies who also defeated them twice! Dingo is amazing! ‘Four more years’, it seems.
August 14th 2012 @ 12:48pm
eagleJack said | August 14th 2012 @ 12:48pm | Report comment
I see 2 Brumbies in the 22.
McCabe (definitely), Lealiifano, White, Tomane would all have had a shot if not injured. Who else would you have? Mowen has good credentials but is he better than any of the backrow named?
I often wonder who these magical players are that people seem so shocked about when they are not named in the 22.
August 14th 2012 @ 2:01pm
Big Steve said | August 14th 2012 @ 2:01pm | Report comment
Agreed EJ, alot of people are complaining about the lack of brumbies, but who would you pick? Name some.
Alexander is in the squad but had issues against wales.
Moore will start some games and most likely play 50 mins after TPN burns out.
Palmer Injured
Fardy, probably the only unlucky one.
Carter not international standard, offers less impact than simmons
Kimlin not international standard
Hopper not better than pocock
Mowen not significantly better than dennis
White injured
Lealiifano and Tomua injured holmes not international standard yet
Mcabe injured
Smith not international standard
tomane injured
speight not available (as far as i know)
Mogg/Coleman not better than beale
So except for fardy and moore who do all these people complaining about brumbies want picked?
August 14th 2012 @ 2:13pm
Rob from Brumby Country said | August 14th 2012 @ 2:13pm | Report comment
Jake White? :p
August 14th 2012 @ 2:49pm
Adam-15 said | August 14th 2012 @ 2:49pm | Report comment
andrew smith as a candidate for 13, not better than tapuai, cummins, fainga’a maybe better than inman.
Kuridrani is a bit ambitious but he has a lot of potential
August 14th 2012 @ 10:42am
Wilson said | August 14th 2012 @ 10:42am | Report comment
Interesting times. I wonder what the Wallabies will look like in attack with no JOC, No Cooper and then No Beale for the next test? Beale’s courtcase is supposed to be settled before the second test (I believe) and then the ARU will have no more stalling tactics to not act. Settling out of court does not mean no guilt ARU. Interesting times.
Good luck Wallabies. I’d love to see a great start to the Tests but I’m feeling uneasy. Surpised to see Samo still in the mix given his lack of Super form and fitness. But Deans always makes me stratch my head so nothing new there.
August 14th 2012 @ 10:49am
Justin2 said | August 14th 2012 @ 10:49am | Report comment
Thats the team, cant change it.
I really want to see some development in our attack. There is no building into this series. The BC is on the line first up so expect we are ready to show what we have been doing for the past month.
I hope the lads have been prepared properly and show intent, hardness, skill under pressure and creativity.
August 14th 2012 @ 10:49am
Face the Facts said | August 14th 2012 @ 10:49am | Report comment
This coach is a joke. The Wallabies are in for a flogging. I’m in Argentina at present and even the Pumas fancy their chances against Australia these days.
August 14th 2012 @ 4:08pm
Stripes said | August 14th 2012 @ 4:08pm | Report comment
Based on what?
Beating Wales 4 Times in the last year? Beating the Sprinboks 4 Times in the last year? Winning the Tri-nations? Getting to the WC Semi’s and Losing to the eventual champions who were at home?
Can’t disagree with some questions over our most of our Super Rugby Teams, and The Scotland Loss (which I put down to poor admin more than anything).
But wow some people need to show some bloody respect for our Blokes. They aren’t perfect but are far from a bad side, and I back them like I do for QLD Reds and the Origin.
Smash em.
August 14th 2012 @ 4:14pm
biltongbek said | August 14th 2012 @ 4:14pm | Report comment
You’ll find things will be a little different this year. The Boks lose a lot with JP Pietersen not being there, but they won’t be the easy beats they were under Pieter de Villiers.
August 14th 2012 @ 4:39pm
Stripes said | August 14th 2012 @ 4:39pm | Report comment
You could be very well right,
My point is that the Wallabies have proven they are far from useless. Even under Peter Devilliers defeating the Boks (what 5 times in a row?) that many times is a huge achievement, as the Boks are traditionally so strong,
I stand by that some Aussies need to back our Wallabies more, I don’t mean blindly believing we are invincible, but that we can sure match it with everyone else, like Qld Origin supporters do.
I don’t expect the Kiwi’s or Saffa’s believe the Wallabies are the easy beats theat 80% of this forum seem to believe. They might back themselves to win sure, but its going to take work, and thats how we should be looking at it too.
August 14th 2012 @ 4:47pm
biltongbek said | August 14th 2012 @ 4:47pm | Report comment
Sure it is a great achievement, but lets just say the bounce of the ball went your way a few times.
Points scored difference between SA and OZ during PDV’s tenure was 1.
I remember the game on the highveldt in 2010, we were leading, had possession in the last minutes and got penalised in the 80th minute for sealing the ball in the ruck. Penalty OZ and Beale kicks over a 50 meter kick.
Last year in Durban, Oz won 14-9, we ran them ragged but dropped 4 scoring opportunities.
QF, nothing needed saying there.
So even though OZ had a good run against us, the revenge will be sweet.
August 14th 2012 @ 4:51pm
Stripes said | August 14th 2012 @ 4:51pm | Report comment
I don’t believe you.
August 14th 2012 @ 5:25pm
biltongbek said | August 14th 2012 @ 5:25pm | Report comment
Ya don’t have ta believe, ya’ll see.
August 15th 2012 @ 6:04pm
Xiedazhou said | August 15th 2012 @ 6:04pm | Report comment
The Boks will surely fancy their chances this year, as Deans seems to be trying to get Australia to play in a way that will be very similar to the way the Boks have been playing for years.
August 14th 2012 @ 5:25pm
Damo said | August 14th 2012 @ 5:25pm | Report comment
Stripes fair enough but ’80% of the posts here’ are from Kiwis.
They love us so much that they can’t help but offer suggestions to the Wallabies at every opportunity.
August 14th 2012 @ 10:41pm
Wal The Hooker said | August 14th 2012 @ 10:41pm | Report comment
Good on you Stripes mate, as a Kiwi I agree with you and I for one don’ see any games against the WBs as walk overs, never have and never will. You gotta back your team! I’ve been a Waikato and Chiefs man since I left Tokoroa back in the late 80s. Its been bloody painful but alas this year was so sweet.
A dog will always have its day. Good on ya brother… Here’s to a good test and Go the ABS
August 14th 2012 @ 4:40pm
B-Rock said | August 14th 2012 @ 4:40pm | Report comment
Well said Stripes – the Wallabies are not a joke – they are the second best teamin the world.
Lets get some perspective here. A few arguable selections does not make us easybeats all of a sudden.
August 14th 2012 @ 5:40pm
robbo said | August 14th 2012 @ 5:40pm | Report comment
Well said Stripes. I have got my worries about this team (mostly about Horne who apart from his defensive fallibilities is just plain selfish – good luck the wingers seeing any ball on the wing) – they are No 2 in the World, they are the Tri-Nations champions (for evermore), they did come third in the World Cup with the youngest team in the comp and they have just won a three match series against the Six Nations champions three zip. Give them a break.
And Biltongbek – suck it up – the only thing that counts is the result – if the players on the field could not figure out a way to beat the Wallabies in the World Cup – who’s to blame?
Sorry to see the apparent demise of Ben Alexander – the wrong Ben(n) dropped, and for mine – I would have rolled the dice on the locks and let Sharpie ride off into the sunset. He’s been great and he still is, but the only way we will develop the new blokes like Pyle, Neville etc is to play them in the big games.
August 14th 2012 @ 10:52am
Rickety Knees said | August 14th 2012 @ 10:52am | Report comment
Guys I am a QC fan at Super Rugby level, but like his idol Carlos Spencer, I am now believe that the pace of the game and the quality of the defence at test level is a level above QC’s ability. He was found wanting in the RWC and right now does not offer a value add off the bench, just a 50/50 option. These games are won by the 1 per cent differences, Deans is preparing for another almighty arm wrestle where the game will be won at breakdown and has chosen a side to do this.
August 14th 2012 @ 11:11am
Harry said | August 14th 2012 @ 11:11am | Report comment
Do you honestly think that Berrick Barnes would have gone better in the Irish and NZ matches at the world cup then Cooper? There seems to be this belief that the only reason Aus finished 3rd was because Cooper blew it. Yes Quade had a poor game in the semi but he wasn;t alone – the entire forward pack got beasted, and there were errors aplenty elsewhere.
August 14th 2012 @ 2:28pm
Rob from Brumby Country said | August 14th 2012 @ 2:28pm | Report comment
Nah, that’s the following week.
I have a feeling that the Wallabies will get up in Sydney – though I quite agree with DC’s assessment of the side. Easily the weakest we’ve fielded in more than ten years.
August 14th 2012 @ 4:54pm
B-Rock said | August 14th 2012 @ 4:54pm | Report comment
Of course BB would have been a better option than QC – easy to say in hindsight, but crazy to suggest BB couldnt better those shocking performances. We would have beaten the Irish but still lost to the ABs in the BB/RWC alternate universe.
August 14th 2012 @ 10:52am
Johnno said | August 14th 2012 @ 10:52am | Report comment
-Happy with the team except 1 big if. Would love a genuine no 8 in the team. Samo is good but can only be a bench man now these days can play 30 minutes of 2nd half. However he has improved it has to be pointed out samo was not fit at start of year, but has now got back to fitness, but Palu is massive loss. Higgers has the size just seems to lack it at no 8 for some reason.